Lasting machine



April 20, 1965 P. voLLHARDT ETAL 3,178,742

LASTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 15, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet l FIC-3` 7 /NVENTUES TiZLL'LPP VOLLQQJC QLbev We'msdyenk April 20, 1965 P. voLLHARDT ETAL 3,178,742

LASTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 15, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 20, 1965 P. VOLLHARDT ETAL 3,178,742

LASTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 15, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 N VEN TUB 5 'PZLL'LPP VOLUZW'. FLbert Welnsczenk 35" 40W ff 797@ Httornegs United States Patent O 3,178,742 LASTING MACHINE Philipp Volhardt, Oberursel, rtaunus, and Aibcrt Weinschenlr, Seuiherg, Taunus, Germany, assignors to Eugen GirHenkel Maschineni'abrih, Ien-lisenburg, Germany, a m

Filed Ian. l5, i963, Ser. No. 251,664 Ciaims priority, application Germany, dan. 23, 1962, H 44,586; Sept. 11, 1962, H 46,375 li3 Claims. (Ci. 12u12) The .present invention relates to a lasting machine, and more particularly to a shank lasting machine wherein the wipers provided for the lasting of .the shank are subivided in iinger-like members. Due to this arrangement, the wipers `are able to adapt themselves very much more satisfactorily to the shank Iformation in each speciiic case than has hitherto been possible with the bladetype wipers generally used dor lasting the toe and heel of `footwear.

The finger-like wipers are so mounted that they can be displaced out of a basic rest position into a working position. In the basic rest position, the fingers are spaced #from the last. -In the working position, on the other hand, the ingers, or their generally bevelled working ends, the purpose of which is to press the lasting margin against the insole, are disposed in the plane of the bottom of the last, or lasting plane. When the iingers in the Working position are displaced from the side aga-inst the last, 'they press the lasting margin firmly against the last or the insole, this being above all important with adhesive lasting where it is important that the lasting margin should be effectively stuck to the insole.

In the working position of the wipers, the working ends thereof are located on a Working curve corresponding to the conformation of the shank. Since the vform of the shan-k varies according to model and shoe size, the worl ing curve must also vary correspondingly. The speciiiycation of the copending application No. 197,794 describes the depression of the wiper ngers, together and simultaneously, by means of a hand-actuated lever, i.e. to displace them in this manner into the basic rest position and, after insertion of the last in the machine, to release the llocking arrangement retaining the Wipers in the -basic rest position, whereaiter the ngers are spring urged against the bottom of the last to adopt the working curve corresponding to the shank of this last. The working curve can, in this connection, be iixed by reciprocal clamping of the fingers, so that the latter, as an assembly, form a rigid unit.

The proposal according to the prior application is entirely suitable for the manufacture of relatively large numbers Iof pairs with a single last. If, however, the number of pairs to be manufactured with a single last is only small, the adjustment of a new working curve required with each change of last is relatively inconvenient.

it is an object yof the present invention to provide a shank lasting machine which facilitates the adjustment of the .working curve corresponding to the shank of the last concerned.

According 4to the invention there is provided a shank lasting machine comprising a plurality of wiper linger-s vertically displaceable from a rest position to a working position, and a plurality of vertically displaceable exploring pins adapted to contact 4the bottom of a last dur-ing use of lthe machine, the exploring pins being operatively associated with the wiper fingers whereby the wiper iin- -gers associated with the individual pins are vertically displaceable in accordance with the vertical displacement of the exploring pins to be exactly adjusted in lasting position. In this connection, the hoger-like wipers are prei'- erably so `mounted that they are only able to adopt positions parallel to each other. As already described in 3,l78,142 Patented Apr. 20, 1955 ICC greater detail in the above-mentioned copending application, it is possible, with such shank Wipers, to achieve more effective lasting than in such known cases wherein the fingers are adapted to be pivoted about a horizontal axis and thus carry out tipping movements during lasting. The invention is above all suited for use on adhesive lasting machines and preferably with machines of this kind having devices rior pulling the upper over Ithe last.

The displacement of the exploring pins is preferably hydraulically tripped, and this applies also to the movement taking .place in the lasting plane of the wipers in the working position and to any possible clamping of the Wipers in the Working position to form a pack which is rigid in itself, the timing sequence of the individual processes being controllable, for example by means of a valve arrangement.

Hand-actuation of the wipers to adjust the working curve is no longer necessary with the present invention. This task is taken over -by the exploring pins, the number of which naturally corresponds to the number of shank wipers.

The present invention is preferably used in heel-lasting machines. In this case, the exploring pins are disposed above the last bottom.` With this arrangement, the working process can be more readilly controlled than if, aS conventionally is the case with toe-lasting machines, the last bottom were to be located underneath, in the machine, and thus the processes taking place at the lasting margin were not visibie to an operator standing in front of the machine.

According to a further object of the present invention there is provided a shank lasting machine `which is furnished with so-called shank-ormers situated on both sides of the last. These formers consist of jawalike tools having, on the side yfacing the last, a recess corresponding to the outward curvature of the last directly adjacent the bottom ot the last, so that when they are displaced against the last they laterally surround it in a positive manner. VIt is the task of the shank-formers to push the upper leather, .before it bears laterally rmly against the last, before or during the lasting process. `from the side of the last about the edge of the bottom of the last ont-o the bottom of the last. The adjustment of the shankdorrner in accordance with the slope of the shank is preferably done automatically directly or indirectly via the exploring pin system.y

A combined heeland shank-lasting machine having shank-formers arranged on both sides of the last is described, merely by way .of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, wherein:

FIGURE l is .a part sectional lateral view of the exploring system for a shank lasting device embodying the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a `front view of the exploring system in the rest position;

FIGURE 3 is a pian View to a larger scale taken in the direction of the arrow IH of FIGURE 2;

FIGUR?J 4 is a front View to the same scale as FIG- URE 3 of the exploring system in the working position and a sectional view of the system for pressing-on the shank former;

FIGURE 5 is a lateral view of the shank former system; and

FIGURE 6 is a plan View of the shank former system and the heel band in the direction of the arrow VI of FIGURE 5.

Referring to the drawings, a machine trarne (not shown) carries a support device 1 for the exploring system designated with the general reference numeral 2.. The explorer system 2 comprises individual exploring members 3 combined in a housing 4 which is vertically displaceable relative-ly to the support device l., the housing 4 being closed at its forward end by a plate 5 secured by screws 6 to the housing. A hydraulic cylinder 7 is disposed in the housing 4 for controlling the vertical displacement of the housing. A piston 8 isso retained on the support device 1 that it is axially non-displaceable but radially adjustable relative to the support device. Axial displacement is prevented by a collar 9 of the piston 8 retained on the support device 1 while the upper neck 16 of the piston engages through a bore in the support device with sufficient play to permit radial adjustment of the piston 8. The piston 8 has a continuous bore 11 therethrough, the top of the bore being connected with a pressure-oil pipe 12. Secured at the lower end of the piston 8 Iis a sealing ring 13 sealing off the piston relatively to the cylinder 7. The lower end of the cylinder 7 is sealed to the outside by a further ring 14. The housing 4 has lateral slide fianges 14 guided in guide strips 15 screwed to the support device 1 and engaging over the slide flanges vas shown in FIGURE l2.

Also mounted on the housing 4 is a retraction device lfor raising the housing 4 when there is no oil pressure in the cylinder 7. This retracti-on device comprises a cross piece 16 screwed to the displaceable housing 4 and carrying at its ends tension springs 17. The other ends of the tension springs 17 are secured to screws 1S screwed into the support device 1. The individual exploring members 3 are in the form of a cross with the stem of the cross formed by the exploring fingers 19 proper and the transverse beam formed by lateral arms 2t) which cooperate in the working position with the wiper fingers. Disposed on each exploring member are three upwardly extending pins 21 over which are fitted helical springs 22, the upper ends of the helical springs 22. projecting into bores 23'in the housing 4. The springs 22 exert a downwardly directed pressure on the exploring members 3. In the basic rest position (FIGURES 1 and 2) the exploring members are yall pressed by this pressure into a position wherein their arms bear against Ythe underside 24 of lateral windows 25 in the housing 4. When the exploring members 3 are pressed upwardly, the springs 22 are cornpressed as the pins 21 enter the bores 23.

Arranged laterally of the explorer system 2 are wiper finger systems designated with the general reference numeral 26. Support devices 27 for the wiper fingers are (see FIGURE 3) mounted on arms 28 on the machine frame (not shown). The arms 28 are pivotally secured to the support devices 27, so that the latter can be laterally displaced. Pivoted to the arms 28 is a support head 29 in which two parallel bolts 30 are secured. A slide 31 is displaceable on and securable to the bolts 30. This arrangement enables the groups 26 of wiper fingers 34 to be displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the last. The slide 31 is provided with a `recess in which the wiper fingers are inserted. The recess is closed by a tie 32 secured to the slide 31 in order to prevent the wiper ngers from dropping out laterally from the recess in the slide.

The individual fingers 34 are U-shaped but have limbs of unequal length. The lower, longer limbs 35 (cf. FIG- URE 2) form the working ends which, dur-ing use, last or push the edge of the upper over the insole of the footwear being produced whereas the arms 20 of the exploring members 3 are able to engage the upper side of the upper shorter limbs 36. Vertical portions or shafts 37 of the fingers are retained between the slide 31 and the tie 32. Secured to the upper limbs 36 of the fingers are pins 38 which extend parallel to the shafts 37 and over which are fitted compression springs 39. The lower ends ofthe compression springs 39 are inserted in bores 40 formed in the ties 32 fast with the slide 31. The springs 39 press the fingers 34 upwardly into the basic rest position.

The individual wiper fingers 34 can be fixed in their position bycompression of the pack or group 26. For this purpose, use is made of a lever 41 (cf. FIGURE 3) pivotally mounted at 42 on the slide 27. Its left-hand end is pivoted clockwise by a tension spring 43 (as seen in the plan view according to FIGURE 3). Its right-hand end is provided with a pressure member 44 which presses on the end shaft 37 of the finger pack 26 (cf. also FIG- URE 2). vFor producing the pressure force, use is made of a hydraulic cylinder 45 having a pressure pipe connection 46. When pressure oil is introduced, la piston 48 sealed against the cylinder wall by a ring 47 is moved so as to press with its forward, rounded end 49 on the lever 41.

Provided on both sides of the last are shank-formels 50 cf. FIGURES 4 to-6) designed as jaw-shaped tools. As

. will be seen from FIGURE 4, the sides of the shankformers 59 facing the last are so recessed that they are able to engage positively about the outwardly curved last portion situated directly adjacent the last bottom. The forming jaws 50 are adjustably secured on a support device 51 mounted by means of screws 52 on a member 54' of the machine carrying a heel band 53. As will be seen in particular from FIGURE 4, the support device 51 has a fixed portion 54 upon which a slide 55 is displaceable. For this purpose, there .are provided on the slide 55 slide strips 56 over which engage guide strips 58 screwed on the fixed part 54 by screws 57. For moving the slide 55, use is made of a hydraulic cylinder 59 having a piston 60. When pressure oil is introduced into the cylinder 59 through a connection 61, the piston 60 is forced along the cylinder and entrains the slide via a pin 62 secured to the slide 55. When the oil pressure is no longer applied the slide 55 is drawn back to its starting position by a tension spring 63 secured at one end to the bolt 62 and at the other end to a bolt64 mounted on the fixed lower portion 54. In the inoperative posi-tion the piston 60 abuts against the end of the cylinder bore.

Mounted in needle bearings 66 on the slide 55 is a shaft 65. A support head r66 is secured to the end of the shaft 65 facing the last by means of a pin 67.

' It is possible to provide, as shown, on the support head 66 a hinge 66 about which the forming jaw 50 can be pivoted in a plane parallel to the last bottom. The forming jaw is retained by means of a dove-tail 68.

As will be seen in particular from FIGURE 6, there is disposed on the outer end of the shaft 65 an angularly bent-over arm 69 having at the end of which a roller 76 rotatably mounted at the end remote from the shaft 65. The shaft 65 is pi-voted clockwise as seen in FIGURE 5, by the tension force of a spring 71 secured at one end to a bolt 72 mounted on the support head 66', and at the other end to a bolt 73 secured to the slide 55. As willrbe seen from FIGURE 5, the support head 66 or the forming jaw 50 is pivotal in a plane parallel to the central plane of the last about the shaft 65 disposed near its rearward end, i.e. the end facing the heel band 53.

The roller 70 is cooperable with a rearward extension 74 of the front wiper finger (FIGURE 4). The rounded port-ion of the exploring surface of the roller 70 is so selected that the finger extension 74 presses, in each pivoting position of the arm 69 carrying the roller, substantially vertically on the roller surface.

The machine operates as follows.

The last 78 carrying the upper 77, which has already been lasted from the toe end up to and including the ball, is placed in position on the last support (not shown). By actuating a foot pedal, a flow of oil is directed into a hydraulic` cylinder which idisplaces the last into the heel band 53 y(cf. FIGURE 6), the last bearing against any abutment 79 (cf. FIGURE 1). The hydraulic drive then automatically ceases to operate. The position of the last can, if necessary, still be corrected. The heel `band is closed by renewed actuation of the foot pedal, this being done again by hydraulic means. vAfter this step, pressure oil is automatically introduced into the cylinder 7 (cf. FIGURE Yl). By this means, the housing 4 and therewith also the exploring system 2, is moved downwardly;

the exploring fingers 19 finally contacting the center line of an insole '76 supported by the last 78. The exploring members are thereby moved relatively upwardly in the housing 4 against the force of the springs 22. The lateral arms 2t) of the exploring members 3 press the wiper fingers 34 downwardly against the force of the springs 39 during the lowering of the exploring system 2. This presupposes that the total force of the three springs 22 associated with the individual exploring pin is greater than the total force of the two springs 39 of the finger pair to be actuated by an exploring pin. It is especially advantageous that only a single exploring pin is necessary for the adjustment of the two fingers correspondingly positioned on opposite sides of the last contour. It is understood that only one wiper finger may be associated with an exploring pin. The wiper fingers 34 are, during the above described process, adjusted in accordance with the slope of the shank. The shank formers 50 are displaced, by the front exploring pin and the front finger pair associated therewith, out of their basic rest position into a position in which the edge 81 cooperating with the edge of the last bottom (FIGURES 4 and 5) of the shank former 5t) corresponds with the line of slope. In the basic rest position, the end 82 of the shank former edge Si facing the last tip is located, due to the spring 71, in a position above the last bottom. The pivoting movement of the shank former to position the edge 81 along the line of slope is effected about the shaft 65 on which the support head 66 for the shank former is disposed. The extent of the rotation of the shaft 65 is determined by the rearward extension 74 of the front wiper finger pressing on the roller 70 connected via the arm 69 with the shaft 65.

By automatic tripping, the blade-type wipers (not shown) close for lasting the heel. The hydraulic cylinder 59 are then fed with pressure oil. By this means, the slides 55, with the shank formers Sti, are forced against the last 78 (cf. FIGURE 4). The formers 50 press the upper 77, in the Zone of the shank, against the last 78 and push the leather of the upper which is not taut against the last, from the side of the last about the edge of the bottom of the last onto the bottom of the last. Due to the hinge 66, the jaws 5t) are able, by pivoting in a plane parallel to the last bottom, to adapt themselves also to the drawn-in part of the contour of the last in the shank. Simultaneously, the wiper fingers 34 are locked in their adjusted position. This is done by supplying pressure oil to the hydraulic cylinders (cf. FIG- URE 3), so that the levers 41 are pivoted and, by means of the pressure plates 44, compress the packs of wiper fingers and thereby move the wiper fingers to be jammed against each other.

Inward movement of the lingers 34 then takes place by the hydraulically tripped advance of the entire supporting part 27 against the last 7S (cf. FIGURE 4), the fingers 34 lasting the margin of the upper in the Zone of the shank over the insole and adhesively securing the same. During the inward movement, the exploring system 2 is retracted into its starting position or basic rest position. This retraction is initiated by the movement of the wipers opening a valve through which the oil is able to iiow away from the cylinder 7 and permit the tension springs 17 to draw the housing 4 up into its starting position.

After the inward movement of the wipers, the last support (not shown) is, after previous removal of the abutment '79, pressed upwardly, the blade-type wipers and the wiper fingers being pressed still more strongly against the last 78. Due to the pressure and heat from the heated blades and wiper fingers, satisfactory sticking and ironing of the lasting margin is achieved.

All the working stages of the machine are preferably tripped and controlled hydraulically, for example by an arrangement of valves, to operate in the correct time sequence.

It will be understood that the above description of the present invention is susceptible to various modifications, changes, and adaptations, and the same are intended to be comprehended the meaning and range of equivalents of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a shank lasting machine, the combination which comprises: a plurality of exploring pin means displaceable in a direction toward and away from the bottom of a last during use of the Imachine to conform to the bottom of such last in one position of said pin means and be spaced from such last in another position of said pin means; a plurality of wiper finger means each displaceable in a direction toward and away from such last to be placed into a working or lasting position and a rest position; and means interposed between said wiper finger means and said exploring pin means to move said wiper nger means in accordance with the movement of said exploring pin means to thereby exactly adjust them in a lasting position.

2. A shank lasting machine for use with a last, comprising, in combination:

(a) a row of exploring pin means displaceable toward and away from a last for attaining positions significant of the contour of the bottom of such last in a working position of said pin means and for moving away from the last into another position thereof;

(b) at least one row of wiper nger means each displaceable independently of the `others toward and away from the last for moving toward the last into a working position thereof to hold a component of footwear against the last and for moving away from the last into another position; and

(c) means interposed between said pin means and said finger means for positioning said finger means in said working position in accordance with the positions of said pin means.

3. A shank lasting macfr'ne for use with a last, comprising, in combination:

(a) a row of exploring pin means displaceable toward and away from a last for attaining positions significant of the contour of the bottom of such last in a working position of said pin means and for moving away from the last into another position thereof;

(b) wiper finger means displaceable toward and away from the last for moving toward the last into a working position thereof to hold a component of footwear against the last and for moving away from the last into another position; and

(c) means interposed between said pin means and said finger means for positioning said finger means in said working position in accordance with the positions of said pin means, said wiper finger means including two rows of wiper finger means, one disposed on each side of the last, said positioning means being arranged to position two finger means on opposite sides of the last in response to each pin means.

4. A machine as defined in claim 3 wherein each pin means includes a pin arranged to contact the center of an insole supported by the last, said positioning means including a pair of arms on each pin means projecting beyond the sides of the last and arranged to contact and carry along the pair of finger means associated with each pin means upon displacement of the pin means toward the bottom of the last.

5. A machine as defined in claim 4 comprising a housing within which said pin means are mounted, means mounting said housing to be displaceable toward and away from the bottom of the last, said housing defining apertures therein to permit movement of said pins and said arms with respect to said housing, and compression springs in said housing and -acting when said pin means move with respect to said housing.

6. A machine as defined in claim 5 comprising means for moving said housing toward and away from the last and including hydraulic means for moving the housing toward the last and tension springs for retracting the 7 housing away from the last and against which the hydraulic means act. Y

7. A machine as defined in claim 4 wherein said finger means each includes a finger for contacting a component of footwear and holding it against the last, and a pressure spring for retracting the finger from the working position into Ithe other position and against which the iinger acts when moving into the Working position.

8. A machine as defined in claim 3 comprising two slidehousings, the finger means `on each side of the last being disposed in a respective slide housing as a pack, and means cooperating with each slide housing for forcing said nger means together by exerting lateral pressure on the pack when the nger means Iare in their working position.

9. A machine as defined in claim 2 wherein the pin means are disposed vertically above the last bottom, andk further comprising yheel band means adjacent the heel portion of the last whereby heel lasting can be performed.

10. A shank lasting machine for use with a last, comprising, in combination:

(a) a row of exploring pin means displaceable toward and away from a last for attaining positions significant of the contour of the bottom of such last in a working position of said pin means .and for moving away from the last into another position thereof;

(b) at least `one row of wiper linger means displaceable toward and away from the last for moving toward the last into a working position thereof to hold a component of footwear against the last and for moving away from the last into another position;

(c) means interposed between said pin means and said finger means for positioning said finger means in said working position in accordance with the positions of said pin means;

' (d) two shank formers, one disposed on each side of a last and movable toward the last into a working position for pushing and holding the material of an Vupper which is not taut against the last and away from the last into a vrest position, each former having on the side facing the lasta recess which conforms to the outwardly curved last portion disposed adjacent the bottom `of the last for holding the loose material of an upper 'against the last from the side of the last -about the edge of the bottom of the last onto the bottom of the last, said shank formers each being arranged to be normally retained in a rest position in which the end Vot' the former nearer the toe of the last is inclined away from the last; and

(e) means responsive to movement of one of a nger means and a pin means being moved into working position for pivoting the shank formers about a pivot extending at right angles to the central longitudinal plane of theV last out of the rest position with the edges of the formers cooperating with the edge of the bottom of the last corresponding with the line of slope of the bottom of the last, said pivot being located near that end of the shank former which is nearer the heel.

11. A machine as deiined in claim 10 wherein said pivoting means is responsive to the. means being moved into working position which is nearest the toe of the last.

12. A shank former arrangement fora lasting machine, comprising, two shank formers, one disposed on each side of a last and movable toward the last into a working position for pushing and holding the material of an upper which is not taut against the last and away from the last intov a rest position, each former having on the side facing the last a recess which conforms to the outwardly curved last portion disposed adjacent the bottom of the last for holding the loose material of an upper against the last from the side of the last about the edge of the bottom of the last onto the bottom of the last; and hinge means for pivotally mounting each shank former in a plane parallel to the bottom of the last.

13. In a shank lasting machine, the combination which comprises:

a plurality of exploring pin means displaceable in a direction toward and away from the bottom of a last to conform to the bottom of such last in one position of said pin means and be spaced from such last in another position of said pin means;

a plurality of wiper finger means each displaceable independently ofthe others in a direction toward and away from such last to be placed into a working or lasting position and a rest position; and

means connecting said wiper finger means with said exploring pin means for` -automatically and simultaneously moving the wiper finger means in accordance with the movement of said exploring pin means, thereby to exactly adjust them in lasting position.

References Cited by theExamner UNITED STATES PATENTS l FOREIGN PATENTS 1/ 27 Great Britain.

JORDAN FRANKLIN, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A SHANK LASTING MACHINE, THE COMBINATION WHICH COMPRISES: A PLURALITY OF EXPLORING PIN MEANS DISPLACEABLE IN A DIRECTION TOWARD AND AWAY FROM THE BOTTOM OF A LAST DURING A USE OF THE MACHINE TO CONFORM TO THE BOTTOM OF SUCH LAST IN ONE POSITION OF SAID PIN MEANS AND BE SPACED FROM SUCH LAST IN ANOTHER POSITION OF SAID PIN MEANS; A PLURALITY OF WIPER FINGER MEANS EACH DISPLACEABLE IN A DIRECTION TOWARD AND AWAY FROM SUCH LAST TO BE PLACED INTO A WORKING OR LASTING POSITION AND A REST POSITION; AND MEANS INTERPOSED BETWEEN SAID WIPER FINGER MEANS AND SAID EXPLORING PIN MEANS TO MOVE SAID WIPER FINGER MEANS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MOVEMENT OF SAID EXPLORING PIN MEANS TO THEREBY EXACTLY ADJUST THEM IN A LASTING POSITION. 